Examining Gender Differences in Service Utilization among Children: Nature, Nurture, or Social Network?
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Examining Gender Differences in Service Utilization among Children: Nature, Nurture, or Social Network? Tina Maschi • Rose M. Perez • Sandy Gibson
Published online: 26 March 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010
Abstract This study builds upon the existing literature by examining gender differences in the service referral and service utilization patterns among children through the lens of biological, social construction, and social networking perspectives. A secondary analysis of county wide data was used that consisted of a sample of 1,408 children aged 1–11 and data from the Adolescent Information Form (AIF) for the source of referral, contributing factors for referral, and service use histories across multiple sectors of care, such as child welfare, social service, mental health, and juvenile justice. Descriptive analyses revealed significant gender differences in the source of referral, and factors contributing to referral and service utilization among the sample of children. Girls were more likely to be referred by child welfare workers for sexual abuse victimization and family problems, such as parental substance abuse and poor parenting skills. In contrast, boys were more likely to be referred by family court workers for mental health issues, including suicidal ideation and gestures, peer relations, behavioral problems, and delinquency. The implications for the development and refinement of gender sensitive practice and research are discussed. Keywords Gender Gender differences Children Youth Service use Source of referral Psychosocial problems Child welfare Juvenile delinquency Social networks Mental health T. Maschi (&) R. M. Perez Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA e-mail: [email protected] R. M. Perez e-mail: [email protected] S. Gibson Gibson Group Social Research, 23 Milyko Drive, Washington Crossing, PA 18977, USA e-mail: [email protected]
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Introduction The literature suggests that boys and girls often manifest different health, mental health, social, and behavior problems (e.g., Abrantes et al. 2005; Baron and Campbell 1993; Baillargeon et al. 2007; Eschenbeck et al. 2007; Maschi et al. 2008). For example, official statistics reveal that girls are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse compared to boys who are more likely to be victims of physical assault and neglect (Finkelhor and Ormrod 2000). Boys and girls also may differ in coping styles (Hoffman and Su 1997; Thompson 1999). Studies have shown that girls are much more likely to cope with stress using internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety and depression) while boys are more likely to use externalizing behaviors (e.g., anger or aggression) (Hoffman and Su 1997; Moffitt et al. 2001). Help seeking patterns also may differ by gender. The literature suggests that girls are more likely to seek the help of others, such as family members or friends, when they perceive a problem as compared to boys (Belle et al. 1987;
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